Our Own Conflicts / Chapter 3: Capture and Reverie
A/Notes: I'm baaack! Aren't cha 'cited! Probably not. ^-^ If u are I apologize. I'm in a good mood cuz I just went and saw Episode II...again! =)! I just can't get enough of Hayden Christensen! ;D! Sorry..back to the matter at hand. I'm going to try and go for a long chapter this time around. I can't really help the chapter endings. I end them where I see it fit. ^-^
Oh and I apologize for some of the spelling errors made in my last chapter. My keyboard is sticking. CLEANING TIME!
DISCLAIMER HERE: I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS OR ANY OF IT'S AFFILIATES!
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Dooku knew they were following him. He wasn't stupid. The hangar carrying his private shuttle was only a few feet away. Soon he would be in it's confines and then he would show the weaklings exactly what they were up against.
The girl behind him stirred as the hover bike ascended to the loft platform. She was waking. That wouldn't do. With an easy swing of his lightsabre Dooku threw her back into oblivion.
Anakin and Obi-Wan strode in as calmly as they possibly could. The hangar ceiling was dripping with humidity and they could feel their clothing stick uncomfortably to their skin. The artificial light was very different from the light of the sun outisde. It took a few moments for the Jedi to adjust their eyes.
Anakin saw her at once strewn on the floor like a sack of bones. Her face was towards them. It was bruised and dirty and so serene Anakin felt a new found protectiveness come over him.
Before he could rush to snatch her up Count Dooku walked around the corner in front of Padme.
"Think before you move young one." Obi-Wan felt Anakin's anger surge.
"Remember Anakin. Fight as one!" Dooku chuckled. It was amusing to see the young Padawan hold back.
"Yes..Your Master is wise young one. But even as one you shall not defeat me. And with the victory comes the spoils." Reaching down Dooku cupped Padme's face in his black gloved hand. Anakin did not like the way he was looking at her with lust and unbridled passion.
"Don't touch her Dooku." Dooku looked up out of his reverie at the Padawan. His look was calm and that of a man who was wishing death to be upon his opponent.
"If you are to address me do so appropriately. From now on I shall be called Darth Tyrannus to you." Obi-Wan saw the chance.
"Now Anakin!" Their lightsabres lit, The duo charged. Obi-Wan was sure this Sith Lord would have a double ended Lightsabre just like Darth Maul's. But he didn't.
Padme was briefly aware of the hum of lightsabres in the background. She struggled to open her eyes glad to be free of the pit of black glue that choked her.
Her vision was blurry and a few speckles of blood that had ran from her multiple headwounds didn't help. She rubbed her eyes while standing.
The sound of struggling and battle tore into her eyes. She still wasn't quite awake at the moment and stumbled towards Anakin's sudden cry of pain. Was it Anakin's? She was sure it was he had cried out.
Anakin flew backwards into an alcove in the wall still trembling with the blue electricity. In his experience with Darth Maul he had never seen a former Jedi shoot blue lightning from their fingertips. He fought the urge to lapse into unconciousness but found he couldn't move. His Master was still battling fervently with Darth Tyrannus or Count Dooku. Two aliases he went by.
So much confusion passed in between his thoughts until the soft footsteps made out through the roar of battle.
"A-a-anakin?" It was an unsure voice, as unsteady as the wind. His eyes flew open to see Padme standing in front of him. It seemed as if she were crying blood for the liquid still trickling slowly from her skin had seperated past the soft bridge of her nose to slide down beneath her hazel eyes.
"Padme.." This time he willed himself to stand. Anakin found it difficult to walk at first but soon he was able to walk out of the alcove into her awaiting arms.
"I must help Obi-Wan. Stay here." Anakin kissed the top of her head tenderly. His lightsabre in his hand he raced off. But he was much too late.
Obi-Wan had become distracted by his Padawan's injuries and was still slightly unfocused. It would be to his disliking that Darth Tyrannus had caught on to his lack of concentration. As Darth Maul had done to his Master, Tyrannus slammed his lightsabre handle into Obi-Wan's face. A few whizzes of the lightsabre and Obi-Wan was laying a few feet off clutching his singed arm and the hole in his thigh.
Padme watched horrified. Anakin raced faster towards Darth Tyrannus flipping over him and meeting his lightsabre in the middle. The spark of red against blue ceased only to be replaced by another contacting of lightsabres.
"Anakin..here!" Obi-Wan with what little strength he had left launched his lightsabre to Anakin. He caught it easily and activated it thinking he had the upper advantage on Darth Tyrannus.
Suddenly Tyrannus charged him and kicked his chest. Anakin in his full concentration of using two lightsabres was caught entirely off guard. He was aware of the red lightsabre heading for his arm. Knowing he could do nothing he held his breath. But it never came. The terrible pain he was certain he would feel in his arm did not come. He flew back against his master seeing brillant stars. Obi-Wan's face was dazed his pain and blood leaking out onto the floor.
Padme, seeing what the monster who had kidnapped her was planning on doing took action. She lunged at Tyrannus knocking him over.
Tyrannus was stunned. No one had ever caught him unawares before. With his two feet he launched Padme into the air. Landing hard on her back she lay shaking and wincing on the floor behind him.
He stood shakily trying to regain his stolen balance. He walked over to her with purpose holding his lightsabre a few inches away from her throat.
"That was not a smart move, Senator. It is horrible that I cannot kill you as I promised the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Some new plans have arisen. But a little reminder of what I can do to you might clear any more disobedient thoughts out of those pretty little head of yours."
Anakin blinked a few times trying to clear the numbing pain in his back. When he heard Tyrannus talking in the distance he thought of Padme. Befoe he flew backwards Anakin had thought he had seen her slam into him at full force.
Not taking chance he stood to his feet. The red lightsabre hung deftly above her neck. Looking for his own weapon, Anakin felt an overwhelming consumation of fear growing in his heart. Quickly he grabbed Obi-Wan's which was in view.He sensed it through the Force before he could even turn the sabre on. The stench of flesh burning in the hangar rose to his nose follwed by a whimper then a fullfledged scream.
Tyrannus lightly touched the end of his sabre to the Senator's arm watching the skin slowly smoke. Without hesitation he rammed the lightsabre into her arm and straight into the floor of the hangar. Her face contortd in pain. Smote with the jealous anger that a weakling female could sway him he ripped the lightsabre out of her arm ready to do the same to the elbow. Until..
A burning sensation started at the base of his arm. As quickly as it had come it faded away into oblivion of numbness.
The arm fell lifelessly to the floor. The torn end began to smoke filling the air with a stench so horrible Padme had to hold her breath. She turned her head to stare the appendage in front of her.
"You little..Jedi brat!" Tyrannus gripped his shoulder. His face twisted into one of pain and anger. The red lightsabre fell to the floor deactivated.
"Do you surrender?" Anakin asked. The word rolled smoothly off his mouth. In his eagerness to watch Tyrannus cower and beg in fear for his life he forgot how strong the Dark Side was with him.
Tyrannus flipped backwards over Padme who was now trying desperately to stand. With a spark of the blue electricity he sent her flying into Anakin. Both crashed into the wall going limp.
"Surrender..Has your Master taught you anything?" The evil Lord scoffed. He bent and picked up his lightsabre then set off for his shuttle.
"Halt you will." That voice. THat unmistakable, raspy voice caught him in his stride.
"Ah..If it isn't Master Yoda?" Tyrannus spat with frustration. How many more obstacles must he clear before he could make a clean escape.
"Remember you as my Padawan I do. A new Master you have taken now." Yoda moved forward his small cane making equally minute clicks against the metallic floor.
Yoda had sensed the powerful evil glowering in the hangar soon after he sent Obi-Wan and Anakin away. Seeing what he was sending them into he quickly took care of the clone army leaving Master Windu in charge. The fastest carrier was soon as his disposal but he still much too late.
"Hmph. I was foolish and young. I didn't see the great powers the Dark Side had given me. Otherwise I would have killed you long ago when still in my youth." Tyrannus spoke.
"Respect you harbored still for me then. No longer. Wish not to hurt you I do." Yoda's penetrating gaze focused on his former Padawan watching his body language closely. He could sense Dooku's new found power and his hunger for more. Plus..There was something deeper. It linked him to his present Master and to- yet another person but it's face was still a hazy cloud.
Tyrannus noted from the glazed look in Yoda's brown eyes he was searching his soul for answers. Not for the young Dooku nor the present Darth/Lord Tyrannus. But going deeper to the trust and obedience for his new Master and his wishes.
Palpatine rose from his swiveling office chair. His old eyes were red-rimmed the force of gravity pulling the bottom lids down to hang in bags of flesh on top of his cheek.
He watched from the window the zooming speeders and transports racing around Coruscant. It was hysteria to see the pathetic beings living in semblance.
Thoughts of her beauty plagued him night and day. The chocolate eyes that shone. How he wish they would shine for him. Like opal gems set into an ivory face they caught his own eye.
That sweeping brown hair always away from her face to allow everyone to see her demanding features. They spoke highly of her personality which was regarded the Galaxy over. Those features had never been his to touch but they would..soon.
And she trusted him or at least she had. Now in his old age he found it hard to catch any female's eye. Sure a few of the older Malastaire Represenatives had smiled at him and waved a little but that had been fifteen years ago.
Way before the wrinkles developed brookes which grew into rivers that dug canyons into his flesh. Way before the hollow voice that he listened to was distinct, sharp, youthful and bold.
He had only his powers in which to please him now. Only the fearful powers that he kept secret. But soon, once the Republic was destroyed, He would reveal those powers. They would cower before him and bow to him, beg of him to forgive them for their cruel treachery.
Palpatine smiled and strode over to his closet in the corner. Weaving through a few business robes he found what he was looking for.
It was simple. A black robe with an extra large hood which would cover his face from all who he did not wish to view him. It was time. Soon his pupil would be arriving with a small gift for him. Delightedly he folded the robe into the crook of his arm and set off for his chambers to change.
Tyrannus smirked at Yoda. He was too in tune with the Force in swimming through his mind to stop him from his next task.
His fingers sparked connecting the electricity to Yoda who frowned in concentration. The energy caught in Yoda's green hand. With tremendous effort he consumed it expelling the energy.
"Powerful you have grown. Yet weak you are under ministrations of the Dark Side." Yoda confirmed. Tyrannus couldn't help but smile at his position.
"I see we are equally matched. It seems the only way to decide this battle will be through lightsabres."
Yoda was fast. Almost too fast. Tyrannus was having a difficult time trying to keep up with the green bastard. Yoda flipped over him and attacked with ferocity.
The only way to win this was too cheat. Tyrannus backed away from Yoda long enough to slam his lightsabre into a turbine behind him. It sparked as it's circuity was sliced in half energy having no where else to go. The metal groaned as it twisted to the will of gravity.
Tyrannus summoned the Force with his mind and lifted the Senator off of the foolish Padawan learner and hastily threw her into a droid's arms. The droid boarded the ship behind Tyrannus.
Smote with victory he watched Yoda try valiantly to stop the turbine from crushing Obi-Wan and Anakin. The portal behind him closed and the shuttle departed for Coruscant.
Anakin was awakened by the crashing of a large object on the ground somewhere in front of him. The familiar weight that had once been in his lap was gone.
His eyes adjusted quickly to the dim light. His Master, Obi-Wan was being helped to his feet by a few clone soldiers. Behind them talking quietly with Master Windu was Master Yoda.
Obi-Wan quickly walked to Anakin's side. He sensed his dazed confusion swirling about the young Padawan and the pain of forgotten concussion.
"Anakin. Anakin are you all right?" Anakin rubbed his temples.
"I got a terrific headache and a few bruises and cuts but other than that I'm just peachy. What about you?" Obi-Wan managed a small laugh.
"Same here." Anakin suddenly remembered the last few moments before unconciousness claimed him. He looked quickly around panic rising in his stomach to blossom in his chest.
"Where's Padme?" Obi-Wan looked around.
"I just woke up a few seconds ago. Although I already sense a large disturbance."
"A disturbance and a puzzle we have." Obi-Wan straightened and turned to look directly in the eyes of Master Windu and Master Yoda.
Anakin stood quickly forgetting the throbbing in his brain. "What happened to Pad- Senator Padme I mean." He had almost forgotten his formalities in his worry.
"Taken her Count Dooku has. Know why we do not." Yoda leaned on his cane. The power in which he had exerted was catching up to him in his old age.
"We sense that Dooku is headed towards Coruscant." Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"When he talked to me while I was behind held captive he said that a Darth Sidious was leading the Republic. That was the reason for the Treaty among the galaxies to overthrow the government there. But it makes absolutely no sense. Chancellor Palpatine is in charge of the Republic. And besides that Dooku said he was disgusted with the government there. Why would he set up a new headquarters there if he dislikes the planet?"
"Not necessarily. There are others that he shares power with. We cannot single out just one leader. And he would also try to throw us off the course. If we think he does not want to be anywhere near Coruscant that's exactly where he'd go. It would be the last place he *thinks* we would look. In the meantime Obi-Wan, Your Padawan and you are still on the assignment of protecting the Senator Amidala. The clone army will stay here to clear a few things up but the rest of the Jedi must return to Coruscant. You will leave immediately. If anything happens to the Senator it would be truly saddening." Master Windu explained. He bowed slightly before turning. Yoda nodded his dismissal.
"A ship waiting there is at the eastern airfield. Fast it is. Leave now you will." The old Jedi Master said before departing behind his trusted friend.
Anakin barely talked on the way to the airfield. Obi-Wan was mostly away either receiving treatment to his wounds or talking with the pilot.
Concern, worry, and confusion muddled his concentration. He couldn't meditate without her near him. Her calming presence would all but lull him into sleep.
Was she all right? What would Tyrannus want with her? Was he going to harm her? Who was his Master? Did his Master wish to harm Padme?
"I sense your disturbed Anakin. Anything you want to talk about?" Anakin's eyes slowly opened. His Master was behind him leaning in the doorway. He couldn't see him but he could imagine the look of concern in his eyes.
"Actually Master there is. I keep thinking of Tyrannus and his plans for Senator Padme." Obi-Wan smiled amusingly before walking further into the room. He sat on a bench near a window a few feet in front of Anakin.
"I know you are worried for her safety. As I am. She is a trusted friend. I love her as a brother would a sister. What will come will come. You have no more control over it than I. If you want the truth, I have absolutely no clue what will happen." Obi-Wan kept his eyes trained on Anakin's. He could see the surprise radiating out of them.
"But I thought you knew everything. I thought Jedi could see the future." Obi-Wan laughed bitterly.
"We can sense the future. But tell me Anakin..Would you want to know the future?" Anakin fidgeted in his seat.
"I..I'm not entirely sure."
"There are those among us who would like to see their future. But they would never be prepared for it. The future is what you make of it. Some who have seen what is to come wish they never did see it because they think it is unchangeable." The Jedi Master paused to gaze out into the endless sea of stars. The guilt of memories past flooded over his mind for a mere second before leaving as a tide would in an endless ocean.
"If you could go back and see what you are today..Would you try and change your fate?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan blinked and looked at his Padawan.
Jedi were not supposed to love. They were to be trained on the here and now, be mindful of the things to come, to be in balance with the Force. But there was not one Jedi who did not regret becoming the Knight or Master they were.
The way Obi-Wan saw it was every one -some way or another- wished to be part of a family. The closest group anyone could ever come to. To love and be loved in return.
He had become Qui-Gonn Jin's Padawan when he was 6. He left behind his mother, his father, and a small, 3 year old little sister to become an all powerful Jedi. Or at least to train to be one.
In the years over he was trained to become aware but heartless. No emotion except that of pain, knowledge, and Force was to come to him.
Now he had become some young boy's executioner. That was why he was wary of it from the start. The 9 year old boy had been so vibrant, so full of life and youth it hurt him to train him. To be rough and tough with such a small fragile being had nearly broke his heart.
But it was the way Qui-Gonn had trained him and it was the way all Jedi trained their Padawans. Obi-Wan had sworn he would never butcher a person's future like this. But he had..It was inevitable.
He knew Anakin looked to him like a sore, stickler school teacher. The kind that makes you dread even stepping into a school house. But he loved Anakin like a son.
The son he would never have. There had been one. She was younger than him - a poor market girl on some distant planet he had been sent to with Qui-Gonn.
Her hair was golden like the crops that grew on the planet's rocky surface and her eyes were vividly purple that of her planet's moon. Underneath the red sun in the equally red sky they had proclaimed love.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes trying to block out the memory. He had thrown everything they had together away.
"Master...? Would you?" Anakin's voice cut through his reverie. Obi-Wan opened his eyes trying courageously to not shed the tears building there. A few stemmed out from the corners of his eyes.
"I'm not sure. But I think..Yes. I would."
Master and Padawan sat in silent semblance for the rest of the trip neither moving nor speaking.
A/Notes: I'm baaack! Aren't cha 'cited! Probably not. ^-^ If u are I apologize. I'm in a good mood cuz I just went and saw Episode II...again! =)! I just can't get enough of Hayden Christensen! ;D! Sorry..back to the matter at hand. I'm going to try and go for a long chapter this time around. I can't really help the chapter endings. I end them where I see it fit. ^-^
Oh and I apologize for some of the spelling errors made in my last chapter. My keyboard is sticking. CLEANING TIME!
DISCLAIMER HERE: I DO NOT OWN STAR WARS OR ANY OF IT'S AFFILIATES!
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Dooku knew they were following him. He wasn't stupid. The hangar carrying his private shuttle was only a few feet away. Soon he would be in it's confines and then he would show the weaklings exactly what they were up against.
The girl behind him stirred as the hover bike ascended to the loft platform. She was waking. That wouldn't do. With an easy swing of his lightsabre Dooku threw her back into oblivion.
Anakin and Obi-Wan strode in as calmly as they possibly could. The hangar ceiling was dripping with humidity and they could feel their clothing stick uncomfortably to their skin. The artificial light was very different from the light of the sun outisde. It took a few moments for the Jedi to adjust their eyes.
Anakin saw her at once strewn on the floor like a sack of bones. Her face was towards them. It was bruised and dirty and so serene Anakin felt a new found protectiveness come over him.
Before he could rush to snatch her up Count Dooku walked around the corner in front of Padme.
"Think before you move young one." Obi-Wan felt Anakin's anger surge.
"Remember Anakin. Fight as one!" Dooku chuckled. It was amusing to see the young Padawan hold back.
"Yes..Your Master is wise young one. But even as one you shall not defeat me. And with the victory comes the spoils." Reaching down Dooku cupped Padme's face in his black gloved hand. Anakin did not like the way he was looking at her with lust and unbridled passion.
"Don't touch her Dooku." Dooku looked up out of his reverie at the Padawan. His look was calm and that of a man who was wishing death to be upon his opponent.
"If you are to address me do so appropriately. From now on I shall be called Darth Tyrannus to you." Obi-Wan saw the chance.
"Now Anakin!" Their lightsabres lit, The duo charged. Obi-Wan was sure this Sith Lord would have a double ended Lightsabre just like Darth Maul's. But he didn't.
Padme was briefly aware of the hum of lightsabres in the background. She struggled to open her eyes glad to be free of the pit of black glue that choked her.
Her vision was blurry and a few speckles of blood that had ran from her multiple headwounds didn't help. She rubbed her eyes while standing.
The sound of struggling and battle tore into her eyes. She still wasn't quite awake at the moment and stumbled towards Anakin's sudden cry of pain. Was it Anakin's? She was sure it was he had cried out.
Anakin flew backwards into an alcove in the wall still trembling with the blue electricity. In his experience with Darth Maul he had never seen a former Jedi shoot blue lightning from their fingertips. He fought the urge to lapse into unconciousness but found he couldn't move. His Master was still battling fervently with Darth Tyrannus or Count Dooku. Two aliases he went by.
So much confusion passed in between his thoughts until the soft footsteps made out through the roar of battle.
"A-a-anakin?" It was an unsure voice, as unsteady as the wind. His eyes flew open to see Padme standing in front of him. It seemed as if she were crying blood for the liquid still trickling slowly from her skin had seperated past the soft bridge of her nose to slide down beneath her hazel eyes.
"Padme.." This time he willed himself to stand. Anakin found it difficult to walk at first but soon he was able to walk out of the alcove into her awaiting arms.
"I must help Obi-Wan. Stay here." Anakin kissed the top of her head tenderly. His lightsabre in his hand he raced off. But he was much too late.
Obi-Wan had become distracted by his Padawan's injuries and was still slightly unfocused. It would be to his disliking that Darth Tyrannus had caught on to his lack of concentration. As Darth Maul had done to his Master, Tyrannus slammed his lightsabre handle into Obi-Wan's face. A few whizzes of the lightsabre and Obi-Wan was laying a few feet off clutching his singed arm and the hole in his thigh.
Padme watched horrified. Anakin raced faster towards Darth Tyrannus flipping over him and meeting his lightsabre in the middle. The spark of red against blue ceased only to be replaced by another contacting of lightsabres.
"Anakin..here!" Obi-Wan with what little strength he had left launched his lightsabre to Anakin. He caught it easily and activated it thinking he had the upper advantage on Darth Tyrannus.
Suddenly Tyrannus charged him and kicked his chest. Anakin in his full concentration of using two lightsabres was caught entirely off guard. He was aware of the red lightsabre heading for his arm. Knowing he could do nothing he held his breath. But it never came. The terrible pain he was certain he would feel in his arm did not come. He flew back against his master seeing brillant stars. Obi-Wan's face was dazed his pain and blood leaking out onto the floor.
Padme, seeing what the monster who had kidnapped her was planning on doing took action. She lunged at Tyrannus knocking him over.
Tyrannus was stunned. No one had ever caught him unawares before. With his two feet he launched Padme into the air. Landing hard on her back she lay shaking and wincing on the floor behind him.
He stood shakily trying to regain his stolen balance. He walked over to her with purpose holding his lightsabre a few inches away from her throat.
"That was not a smart move, Senator. It is horrible that I cannot kill you as I promised the Viceroy of the Trade Federation. Some new plans have arisen. But a little reminder of what I can do to you might clear any more disobedient thoughts out of those pretty little head of yours."
Anakin blinked a few times trying to clear the numbing pain in his back. When he heard Tyrannus talking in the distance he thought of Padme. Befoe he flew backwards Anakin had thought he had seen her slam into him at full force.
Not taking chance he stood to his feet. The red lightsabre hung deftly above her neck. Looking for his own weapon, Anakin felt an overwhelming consumation of fear growing in his heart. Quickly he grabbed Obi-Wan's which was in view.He sensed it through the Force before he could even turn the sabre on. The stench of flesh burning in the hangar rose to his nose follwed by a whimper then a fullfledged scream.
Tyrannus lightly touched the end of his sabre to the Senator's arm watching the skin slowly smoke. Without hesitation he rammed the lightsabre into her arm and straight into the floor of the hangar. Her face contortd in pain. Smote with the jealous anger that a weakling female could sway him he ripped the lightsabre out of her arm ready to do the same to the elbow. Until..
A burning sensation started at the base of his arm. As quickly as it had come it faded away into oblivion of numbness.
The arm fell lifelessly to the floor. The torn end began to smoke filling the air with a stench so horrible Padme had to hold her breath. She turned her head to stare the appendage in front of her.
"You little..Jedi brat!" Tyrannus gripped his shoulder. His face twisted into one of pain and anger. The red lightsabre fell to the floor deactivated.
"Do you surrender?" Anakin asked. The word rolled smoothly off his mouth. In his eagerness to watch Tyrannus cower and beg in fear for his life he forgot how strong the Dark Side was with him.
Tyrannus flipped backwards over Padme who was now trying desperately to stand. With a spark of the blue electricity he sent her flying into Anakin. Both crashed into the wall going limp.
"Surrender..Has your Master taught you anything?" The evil Lord scoffed. He bent and picked up his lightsabre then set off for his shuttle.
"Halt you will." That voice. THat unmistakable, raspy voice caught him in his stride.
"Ah..If it isn't Master Yoda?" Tyrannus spat with frustration. How many more obstacles must he clear before he could make a clean escape.
"Remember you as my Padawan I do. A new Master you have taken now." Yoda moved forward his small cane making equally minute clicks against the metallic floor.
Yoda had sensed the powerful evil glowering in the hangar soon after he sent Obi-Wan and Anakin away. Seeing what he was sending them into he quickly took care of the clone army leaving Master Windu in charge. The fastest carrier was soon as his disposal but he still much too late.
"Hmph. I was foolish and young. I didn't see the great powers the Dark Side had given me. Otherwise I would have killed you long ago when still in my youth." Tyrannus spoke.
"Respect you harbored still for me then. No longer. Wish not to hurt you I do." Yoda's penetrating gaze focused on his former Padawan watching his body language closely. He could sense Dooku's new found power and his hunger for more. Plus..There was something deeper. It linked him to his present Master and to- yet another person but it's face was still a hazy cloud.
Tyrannus noted from the glazed look in Yoda's brown eyes he was searching his soul for answers. Not for the young Dooku nor the present Darth/Lord Tyrannus. But going deeper to the trust and obedience for his new Master and his wishes.
Palpatine rose from his swiveling office chair. His old eyes were red-rimmed the force of gravity pulling the bottom lids down to hang in bags of flesh on top of his cheek.
He watched from the window the zooming speeders and transports racing around Coruscant. It was hysteria to see the pathetic beings living in semblance.
Thoughts of her beauty plagued him night and day. The chocolate eyes that shone. How he wish they would shine for him. Like opal gems set into an ivory face they caught his own eye.
That sweeping brown hair always away from her face to allow everyone to see her demanding features. They spoke highly of her personality which was regarded the Galaxy over. Those features had never been his to touch but they would..soon.
And she trusted him or at least she had. Now in his old age he found it hard to catch any female's eye. Sure a few of the older Malastaire Represenatives had smiled at him and waved a little but that had been fifteen years ago.
Way before the wrinkles developed brookes which grew into rivers that dug canyons into his flesh. Way before the hollow voice that he listened to was distinct, sharp, youthful and bold.
He had only his powers in which to please him now. Only the fearful powers that he kept secret. But soon, once the Republic was destroyed, He would reveal those powers. They would cower before him and bow to him, beg of him to forgive them for their cruel treachery.
Palpatine smiled and strode over to his closet in the corner. Weaving through a few business robes he found what he was looking for.
It was simple. A black robe with an extra large hood which would cover his face from all who he did not wish to view him. It was time. Soon his pupil would be arriving with a small gift for him. Delightedly he folded the robe into the crook of his arm and set off for his chambers to change.
Tyrannus smirked at Yoda. He was too in tune with the Force in swimming through his mind to stop him from his next task.
His fingers sparked connecting the electricity to Yoda who frowned in concentration. The energy caught in Yoda's green hand. With tremendous effort he consumed it expelling the energy.
"Powerful you have grown. Yet weak you are under ministrations of the Dark Side." Yoda confirmed. Tyrannus couldn't help but smile at his position.
"I see we are equally matched. It seems the only way to decide this battle will be through lightsabres."
Yoda was fast. Almost too fast. Tyrannus was having a difficult time trying to keep up with the green bastard. Yoda flipped over him and attacked with ferocity.
The only way to win this was too cheat. Tyrannus backed away from Yoda long enough to slam his lightsabre into a turbine behind him. It sparked as it's circuity was sliced in half energy having no where else to go. The metal groaned as it twisted to the will of gravity.
Tyrannus summoned the Force with his mind and lifted the Senator off of the foolish Padawan learner and hastily threw her into a droid's arms. The droid boarded the ship behind Tyrannus.
Smote with victory he watched Yoda try valiantly to stop the turbine from crushing Obi-Wan and Anakin. The portal behind him closed and the shuttle departed for Coruscant.
Anakin was awakened by the crashing of a large object on the ground somewhere in front of him. The familiar weight that had once been in his lap was gone.
His eyes adjusted quickly to the dim light. His Master, Obi-Wan was being helped to his feet by a few clone soldiers. Behind them talking quietly with Master Windu was Master Yoda.
Obi-Wan quickly walked to Anakin's side. He sensed his dazed confusion swirling about the young Padawan and the pain of forgotten concussion.
"Anakin. Anakin are you all right?" Anakin rubbed his temples.
"I got a terrific headache and a few bruises and cuts but other than that I'm just peachy. What about you?" Obi-Wan managed a small laugh.
"Same here." Anakin suddenly remembered the last few moments before unconciousness claimed him. He looked quickly around panic rising in his stomach to blossom in his chest.
"Where's Padme?" Obi-Wan looked around.
"I just woke up a few seconds ago. Although I already sense a large disturbance."
"A disturbance and a puzzle we have." Obi-Wan straightened and turned to look directly in the eyes of Master Windu and Master Yoda.
Anakin stood quickly forgetting the throbbing in his brain. "What happened to Pad- Senator Padme I mean." He had almost forgotten his formalities in his worry.
"Taken her Count Dooku has. Know why we do not." Yoda leaned on his cane. The power in which he had exerted was catching up to him in his old age.
"We sense that Dooku is headed towards Coruscant." Obi-Wan stroked his beard thoughtfully.
"When he talked to me while I was behind held captive he said that a Darth Sidious was leading the Republic. That was the reason for the Treaty among the galaxies to overthrow the government there. But it makes absolutely no sense. Chancellor Palpatine is in charge of the Republic. And besides that Dooku said he was disgusted with the government there. Why would he set up a new headquarters there if he dislikes the planet?"
"Not necessarily. There are others that he shares power with. We cannot single out just one leader. And he would also try to throw us off the course. If we think he does not want to be anywhere near Coruscant that's exactly where he'd go. It would be the last place he *thinks* we would look. In the meantime Obi-Wan, Your Padawan and you are still on the assignment of protecting the Senator Amidala. The clone army will stay here to clear a few things up but the rest of the Jedi must return to Coruscant. You will leave immediately. If anything happens to the Senator it would be truly saddening." Master Windu explained. He bowed slightly before turning. Yoda nodded his dismissal.
"A ship waiting there is at the eastern airfield. Fast it is. Leave now you will." The old Jedi Master said before departing behind his trusted friend.
Anakin barely talked on the way to the airfield. Obi-Wan was mostly away either receiving treatment to his wounds or talking with the pilot.
Concern, worry, and confusion muddled his concentration. He couldn't meditate without her near him. Her calming presence would all but lull him into sleep.
Was she all right? What would Tyrannus want with her? Was he going to harm her? Who was his Master? Did his Master wish to harm Padme?
"I sense your disturbed Anakin. Anything you want to talk about?" Anakin's eyes slowly opened. His Master was behind him leaning in the doorway. He couldn't see him but he could imagine the look of concern in his eyes.
"Actually Master there is. I keep thinking of Tyrannus and his plans for Senator Padme." Obi-Wan smiled amusingly before walking further into the room. He sat on a bench near a window a few feet in front of Anakin.
"I know you are worried for her safety. As I am. She is a trusted friend. I love her as a brother would a sister. What will come will come. You have no more control over it than I. If you want the truth, I have absolutely no clue what will happen." Obi-Wan kept his eyes trained on Anakin's. He could see the surprise radiating out of them.
"But I thought you knew everything. I thought Jedi could see the future." Obi-Wan laughed bitterly.
"We can sense the future. But tell me Anakin..Would you want to know the future?" Anakin fidgeted in his seat.
"I..I'm not entirely sure."
"There are those among us who would like to see their future. But they would never be prepared for it. The future is what you make of it. Some who have seen what is to come wish they never did see it because they think it is unchangeable." The Jedi Master paused to gaze out into the endless sea of stars. The guilt of memories past flooded over his mind for a mere second before leaving as a tide would in an endless ocean.
"If you could go back and see what you are today..Would you try and change your fate?" Anakin asked. Obi-Wan blinked and looked at his Padawan.
Jedi were not supposed to love. They were to be trained on the here and now, be mindful of the things to come, to be in balance with the Force. But there was not one Jedi who did not regret becoming the Knight or Master they were.
The way Obi-Wan saw it was every one -some way or another- wished to be part of a family. The closest group anyone could ever come to. To love and be loved in return.
He had become Qui-Gonn Jin's Padawan when he was 6. He left behind his mother, his father, and a small, 3 year old little sister to become an all powerful Jedi. Or at least to train to be one.
In the years over he was trained to become aware but heartless. No emotion except that of pain, knowledge, and Force was to come to him.
Now he had become some young boy's executioner. That was why he was wary of it from the start. The 9 year old boy had been so vibrant, so full of life and youth it hurt him to train him. To be rough and tough with such a small fragile being had nearly broke his heart.
But it was the way Qui-Gonn had trained him and it was the way all Jedi trained their Padawans. Obi-Wan had sworn he would never butcher a person's future like this. But he had..It was inevitable.
He knew Anakin looked to him like a sore, stickler school teacher. The kind that makes you dread even stepping into a school house. But he loved Anakin like a son.
The son he would never have. There had been one. She was younger than him - a poor market girl on some distant planet he had been sent to with Qui-Gonn.
Her hair was golden like the crops that grew on the planet's rocky surface and her eyes were vividly purple that of her planet's moon. Underneath the red sun in the equally red sky they had proclaimed love.
Obi-Wan closed his eyes trying to block out the memory. He had thrown everything they had together away.
"Master...? Would you?" Anakin's voice cut through his reverie. Obi-Wan opened his eyes trying courageously to not shed the tears building there. A few stemmed out from the corners of his eyes.
"I'm not sure. But I think..Yes. I would."
Master and Padawan sat in silent semblance for the rest of the trip neither moving nor speaking.